Distinctly Montana Magazine

Map roughly showing where the different rides are in Montana Carving out the 10 best of any- thing in Montana is a daunting task, for Montana is home to it all. Whether spinning through a splatter-painted meadow on a twisted alpine ascent or along lonely sinuous roads that dissolve into 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 Grassy Mountain. the distant horizon, cycling here can be as varied and challenging as the weather. The reward for meeting that challenge are fleeting moments when you crest a climb and the unfolding view of snowcapped peaks and verdant prairie below is permanently etched into your soul. The following is just a sampling of rides that no cyclist should miss in the Last Best Place. BILLINGS 1. MOUNTAIN: Zimmer- man Park has several miles of single track on the rim above Billings, perfect for the timid first-timer through the advanced enthusiast. Park in the lot off HWY 3 about 400 yards past Zimmerman Trail Road, just west of the Airport. Trails near the trailhead are wider and suited to spinning along at a leisurely pace. Closer to the rim, they become increasingly difficult, with technical sandstone climbs and cliff-side exposure reminiscent of southern Utah. The loamy soil dries quickly and the forests within the park are a real treat. Beyond the rim, views of Billings and the surround- ing landscape offer a whole different perspective of Yel- lowstone County. 2. ROAD: On Saturday mornings the Prairie Wind Café in Molt, MT, caters to cyclists, locals and tourists alike with live music, good eats, and a down home Montana experience you won’t soon forget. 20 2 1 Group rides from Billings to Molt follow State Road 302 along a 45-mile route and include a stop at the café for breakfast or pie or both; it’s 45 miles after all. Drop by MONTANA CYCLING AND SKI OR VISIT www.montanacycling. com for extensive information on biking: a guide to the right bike for you, helmets, comfort level, fitness, the electric bike, and much more. Also, learn about the many rides for nonprofits and the latest group to form, Montana Women on Wheels. BOZEMAN/ GALLATIN VALLEY 3. MOUNTAIN: The Bangtail Divide loop is a 32-mile (in- cluding seven miles on Bridger Canyon Road) jaunt across the Bangtail Range just north of Bozeman. Rob at Bangtail Bikes “especially like[s] the holistic nature of this ride. You get a little bit of everything—steep but ride-able climbing, open meadows, views of six different mountain ranges, and fast, fun descents.” Options for shorter out and back rides via Stone Creek and Grassy Mountain are available, but to ride as a loop, park at the “Brackett Creek Y” (or Grassy Mountain) Trailhead, ride the road back to Stone Creek, then grind up to the Divide Trail, across the range and down Grassy Mountain. All in all about 4 1/2 hours if you’re in good shape. Erica, manager of the Roundhouse, says, “Learning to ride the rugged terrain around the Bozeman area will shape you into a more solid rider for anywhere else.” AN ADULT ON A BICYCLE, I DO NOT DESPAIR FOR THE FUTURE OF THE HUMAN RACE.” ~ H.G. WELLS “WHENEVER I SEE 4. ROADS IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: The guys at Summit Bikes insist any visit to Southwest Montana must include a trip to America’s first National Park. What better way to experience the wild grandeur than from the saddle of your bicycle? Early spring and late autumn are the best times to ride the park roads as they are closed to motorized traffic, but really, any time is great for a bicycle tour in Yellowstone. The Upper Loop is 70 miles and takes you from the Mammoth Terraces over Dunraven Pass to Canyon and back through Norris Geyser Basin. Plenty of camping along the way to prolong your Yellowstone visit. DISTINCTLY MONTANA • SUMMER 2011

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